North Cyprus Famagusta

Cellarga Mass Graves

These mass-graves are the mass necropolis of the poor people of the period. They constitute part of the Salamis Necropolis, and lie 500 metres to the South-east of the Royal Tombs. The area in which around 120 graves have been found is known to have been used between 8th century B.C. and 4th century B.C.. The entrances to the tombs are closed with stone slabs; and there steps carved into the rock. New graves with chimney shaped zones were dug up on the area where the former mass graves which were filled up in time used to be. They were not used after the 4th century B.C.. The remains of animals, statues, pots and pans found among the ashes of the fires burnt in front of the graves suggest that ceremonies of sacrifice and feasts were held here.